MAGNET

The continuation of Cedric Price's latest project: 'Magnet' proposed ten short life structures for cities which would provide public amenities and stimulate new patterns of public movement.

The architectural proposal is a Rapid Response Museum in London. Rapid Response collecting is a curatorial strategy adopted by the Victoria & Albert in 2013 by architecture/design curators Corinna Gardner and Kieran Long. This approach to museum collection pre-empts the significance of objects associated with social, economic and political events.

RAPID RESPONSE MUSEUM

The key concept of this building is to reflect the theme of the museum – climate change. Through an architectural manifestation that combines the ‘old’ core structure, and ‘new’ external stair, roof garden, is the retrofit of an existing Victorian building. The attempt to challenge some conventions of a traditional museum is intentional. The replacement of quiet exhibit spaces and a gift shop, with active exhibition spaces and café positioned directly across the road from McDonald’s, is a social and political challenge.

The museum will act as a community structure by rounding out the education, events, and activities available to the public. Fighting climate change has never been so urgent. It has been estimated by the United Nations that we have only 11 years left to prevent irreversible damage to the globe and its climate. Raising awareness and educating people is the first step towards making a difference.